Electroluminescent display including touch sensor

ABSTRACT

An electroluminescent display is disclosed. The electroluminescent display includes an electroluminescent element disposed in a display area of a substrate, an encapsulation unit disposed on the electroluminescent element, a first mesh electrode layer disposed on the encapsulation unit, an insulating layer covering the first mesh electrode layer, and a second mesh electrode layer disposed on the insulating layer. The first mesh electrode layer includes a first mesh electrode and a second mesh electrode separated from the first mesh electrode. The second mesh electrode layer includes a third mesh electrode extended in a first direction and a fourth mesh electrode extended in a second direction intersecting the first direction through the first mesh electrode intersecting the third mesh electrode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Republic of Korea PatentApplication No. 10-2017-0183798 filed on Dec. 29, 2017 and Republic ofKorea Patent Application No. 10-2017-0184515 filed on Dec. 29, 2017,each of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of Technology

The present disclosure relates to an electroluminescent displayincluding a touch sensor, and more particularly to an electroluminescentdisplay for reducing a thickness of the electroluminescent display andminimizing an influence of a parasitic capacitance between a touchsensor and a display panel.

Discussion of the Related Art

A touch screen is an input device that allows a user to input his or hercommand by selecting an instruction displayed on a screen of a displaydevice, etc. with his/her hand or an object. Namely, the touch screenconverts a touch position, which the user directly touches with his/herhand or the object, into an electrical signal and senses an instructionselected at the touch position as an input signal. Because the touchscreen can replace a separate input device, for example, a keyboard anda mouse connected to the display device, a use range of the touch screenis gradually expanding. The touch screen is generally attached to afront surface of a display panel.

SUMMARY

The present inventors have continued to study to provide a touch sensorcapable of performing a touch screen function for an electroluminescentdisplay capable of implementing a high quality image among various kindsof display devices is disclosed. The electroluminescent display includesa self-emission element. Examples of an electroluminescent elementinclude an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a quantum-dot lightemitting diode (QLED).

The present inventors studied an electroluminescent display capable ofproviding both a touch screen function and a flexibility function.

The present inventors paid attention to advantages that theelectroluminescent display can have a flexible function when theflexibility function was provided for an encapsulation unit of theelectroluminescent display, and also the encapsulation unit of theelectroluminescent display was not be damaged by various external forcesincluding falling, impact, bending, etc. In particular, the presentinventors recognized the problem that an operation of theelectroluminescent display may be impossible when the encapsulation unitof the electroluminescent display was damaged.

The present inventors designed a flexible encapsulation unit sealing anelectroluminescent layer, in order to provide the flexibility functionfor the electroluminescent display while protecting theelectroluminescent element from an external environment. The presentinventors studied a structure of a flexible touch sensor disposed on theencapsulation unit.

The present inventors recognized that interference may occur between acathode electrode and a capacitive touch sensor when the capacitivetouch sensor was used in a touch screen of the electroluminescentdisplay because the electroluminescent display included a plurality ofsubpixels, each of which includes a cathode electrode, an anodeelectrode, and an electroluminescent layer between the cathode electrodeand the anode electrode in order to emit light. In particular, thepresent inventors recognized that a parasitic capacitance may greatlyreduce an operation performance of the capacitive touch sensor.

The present inventors recognized that a parasitic capacitance wasgenerated between the touch sensor and the cathode electrode when thecathode electrode of the subpixel was disposed adjacent to the touchsensor. The present inventors recognized the problem that a touchoperation of the touch sensor may be impossible because the parasiticcapacitance increased as a distance between the touch sensor and thecathode electrode decreased.

However, the present inventors recognized advantages of a thin profileof the electroluminescent display, an improvement of flexibilitycharacteristics, and a reduction in a possibility of cracking of theencapsulation unit as a thickness of the encapsulation unit decreased.Therefore, the present inventors intended to reduce the thickness of theencapsulation unit as much as possible. The present inventors recognizedthat a reduction in a touch performance of the touch sensor had to besolved because the parasitic capacitance increased as the thickness ofthe encapsulation unit decreased. Further, the present inventorsrecognized that the touch sensor may be bent and damaged by such abending stress when the flexibility characteristics of the touch sensorwere insufficient. Hence, the present inventors also intended to improvethe flexibility characteristics of the touch sensor.

Namely, the present inventors intended to provide an electroluminescentdisplay that can reduce a damage resulting from an impact, reduce thethickness, provide the flexibility characteristics, and provide a touchscreen function while minimizing an influence of the parasiticcapacitance resulting from the cathode electrode. At the same time, thepresent inventors intended to optimize the manufacturing cost andmanufacturing process of the electroluminescent display.

Further, the present inventors intended to minimize the thickness of theflexible encapsulation unit in order to develop the electroluminescentdisplay to a foldable level by maximizing the flexibilitycharacteristics.

Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to address theabove-described and other problems and provide a flexibleelectroluminescent display, configured to provide a touch screenfunction, capable of reducing a distance between a touch sensor and acathode electrode of the electroluminescent display, improvingflexibility characteristics of the touch sensor, minimizing an influenceof a parasitic capacitance resulting from the cathode electrode,simplifying manufacturing process, and reducing the manufacturing cost.

Additional features and aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or maybe learned by practice of the inventive concepts provided herein. Otherfeatures and aspects of the inventive concepts may be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription, or derivable therefrom, and the claims hereof as well asthe appended drawings.

In one aspect, there is provided an electroluminescent displaycomprising: an electroluminescent element disposed in a display area ofa substrate, the display area for displaying an image; an encapsulationunit disposed on the electroluminescent element; a first mesh electrodelayer disposed on the encapsulation unit, the first mesh electrodeincluding a first mesh electrode and a second mesh electrode that isphysically separated from the first mesh electrode; an insulating layercovering the first mesh electrode layer; and a second mesh electrodelayer disposed on the insulating layer, the second mesh electrode layerincluding a third mesh electrode and a fourth mesh electrode, whereinthe third mesh electrode extends in a first direction and the fourthmesh electrode extends in a second direction that intersects the firstdirection such that the first mesh electrode of the first mesh electrodelayer intersects the third mesh electrode.

In another aspect, there is provided a flexible electroluminescentdisplay comprising: a flexible substrate; a transistor positioned on theflexible substrate; an anode electrode electrically connected with thetransistor; a bank surrounding the anode electrode; anelectroluminescent layer positioned on the anode electrode; a cathodeelectrode positioned on the electroluminescent layer; a flexibleencapsulation unit positioned on the cathode electrode; a first meshelectrode layer positioned on the flexible encapsulation unit andoverlapping the bank; an insulating layer covering the first meshelectrode layer; and a second mesh electrode layer positioned on theinsulating layer and overlapping the first mesh electrode layer and thebank.

In another aspect, there is provided a touch sensor integrated displaycomprising: a substrate; a plurality of subpixels disposed on thesubstrate, the plurality of subpixels including a plurality of circuitunits and an electroluminescent diode electrically connected to theplurality of circuit units, at least one of the plurality of circuitunits configured to supply an image signal to the electroluminescentdiode; an encapsulation unit configured to cover the plurality ofsubpixels; a first mesh electrode layer disposed on the encapsulationunit, the first mesh electrode layer divided into a plurality of areasthat are physically separated from each other by a first disconnectionpattern; an insulating layer covering the first mesh electrode layer;and a second mesh electrode layer disposed on the insulating layer, thefirst mesh electrode layer divided into a plurality of areas that arephysically separated from each other by a second disconnection pattern,wherein a shape of the first disconnection pattern is different from ashape of the second disconnection pattern, and wherein at least one ofthe plurality of areas of the first mesh electrode layer and one of theplurality of areas of the second mesh electrode layer are configured torespectively receive a first signal and a second signal having a samemagnitude.

In another aspect, there is provided an electroluminescent displaycomprising: an electroluminescent element disposed in a display area ofa substrate, the display area for displaying an image; an encapsulationunit disposed on the electroluminescent element; a plurality oftransparent shielding electrodes disposed on the encapsulation unit,each of the plurality of transparent shielding electrodes including afirst transparent shielding electrode along a first direction and aplurality of second transparent shielding electrodes along a seconddirection, wherein the first transparent shielding electrode intersectsthe plurality of second transparent shielding electrodes; a shieldingelectrode insulating layer covering the plurality of transparentshielding electrodes; a plurality of bridge mesh electrodes positionedon the shielding electrode insulating layer, the plurality of bridgemesh electrodes includes a plurality of first bridges and a plurality ofsecond bridges; a first touch insulating layer covering the plurality ofbridge mesh electrodes; and a plurality of mesh electrodes on the firsttouch insulating layer, the plurality of mesh electrodes including aplurality of first mesh electrodes along the first direction and aplurality of second mesh electrodes along the second direction; whereina pair of second bridges from the plurality of second bridges areconfigured to electrically connect together the plurality of secondtransparent shielding electrodes of one of the plurality of transparentshielding electrodesthrough a contact hole of the shielding electrodeinsulating layer, wherein the plurality of first bridges are configuredto electrically connect together plurality of first mesh electrodesthrough contact holes of the first touch insulating layer.

In another aspect, there is provided an electroluminescent displaycomprising: a substrate including a display area for displaying animage; an electroluminescent element on the display area of thesubstrate, the electroluminescent element including a common electrode;an encapsulation unit on the electroluminescent element; a first meshelectrode layer on the encapsulation unit, the first mesh electrodeoverlapping the common electrode; an insulating layer over the firstmesh electrode layer; and a second mesh electrode layer on theinsulating layer, the second mesh electrode layer overlapping both thefirst mesh electrode layer and the common electrode with the first meshelectrode layer between the second mesh electrode layer and the commonelectrode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, that may be included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure andtogether with the description serve to explain various principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating anelectroluminescent display including a touch sensor according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first mesh electrodelayer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent display according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second mesh electrodelayer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent display according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface A′-A″ of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface B′-B″ of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second mesh electrodelayer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent display according toanother embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second mesh electrodelayer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent display according toanother embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second meshelectrode layer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent displayaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second meshelectrode layer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent displayaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically illustrating a bridge meshelectrode, a transparent shielding electrode, and a mesh electrode of atouch sensor in an electroluminescent display according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 15A to 15D are plan views schematically illustrating a stack orderof components of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent displayaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface A′-A″ of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface B′-B″ of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface C′-C″ of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However,the present disclosure is not limited to embodiments disclosed below,and may be implemented in various forms. These embodiments are providedso that the present disclosure will be described more completely, andwill fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilledin the art to which the present disclosure pertains. Particular featuresof the present disclosure can be defined by the scope of the claims.

Shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, number, and the like illustrated in thedrawings for describing embodiments of the disclosure are merelyexemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto unlessspecified as such. Like reference numerals designate like elementsthroughout embodiments of the disclosure. In the following description,when a detailed description of certain functions or configurationsrelated to this document that may unnecessarily cloud the gist of thepresent disclosure have been omitted. In the present disclosure, whenthe terms “include,” “have,” “comprised of,” etc. are used, othercomponents may be added unless “˜ only” is used. A singular expressioncan include a plural expression as long as it does not have anapparently different meaning in context.

In the explanation of components, even if there is no separatedescription, it is interpreted as including margins of error or an errorrange.

In the description of positional relationships, when a structure isdescribed as being positioned “on or above,” “under or below,” “next to”another structure, this description should be construed as including acase in which the structures directly contact each other as well as acase in which a third structure is disposed therebetween.

The terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used to describe variouscomponents, but the components are not limited by such terms. The termsare used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from othercomponents. For example, a first component may be designated as a secondcomponent, and vice versa, without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The features of various embodiments of the disclosure can be partiallycombined or entirely combined with each other, and can be technicallyinterlocking-driven in various ways. Embodiments of the disclosure canbe independently implemented, or can be implemented in conjunction witheach other.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail below withreference to FIGS. 1 to 16C.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating anelectroluminescent display including a touch sensor according to anembodiment of the disclosure.

An electroluminescent display 1000 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure is described below with reference to FIG. 1.

The electroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to provide a touch screen function for sensinga touch, an image display function for displaying an image, and afunction for reducing a parasitic capacitance generated between a touchscreen and an image display.

The electroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure includes a display panel 102 configured to display an imageand a touch sensor 160 configured to sense a touch.

The display panel 102 of the electroluminescent display 1000 accordingto the embodiment of the disclosure includes a plurality of subpixelsPXL. In the display panel 102, an area where the plurality of subpixelsPXL is disposed may be defined as a display area AA, and an area exceptthe display area AA or a peripheral area of the display area AA may bedefined as a non-display area NA.

Each subpixel PXL includes an electroluminescent element 130 displayinga specific color. For example, the subpixel PXL may include red (R),green (G), and blue (B) electroluminescent elements 130, or include red(R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W) electroluminescent elements 130,or include red (R), green (G), blue (B), and green (G)electroluminescent elements 130.

Each subpixel PXL includes a pixel driving circuit and theelectroluminescent element 130 connected to the pixel driving circuit.

The pixel driving circuit at least includes a switching transistor T1, ascan line SL supplying a scan signal to the switching transistor T1, adriving transistor T2, a storage capacitor Cst, and a data line DLsupplying an image signal to the storage capacitor Cst.

The switching transistor T1 is turned on when the scan signal issupplied to the scan line SL, and supplies a data signal supplied to thedata line DL to the storage capacitor Cst and a gate electrode of thedriving transistor T2.

The driving transistor T2 controls a current supplied to theelectroluminescent element 130 depending on the data signal supplied tothe gate electrode of the driving transistor T2 and a high potentialvoltage VDD supplied from a high potential power line, thereby adjustingan amount of light emitted from the electroluminescent element 130. Evenwhen the switching transistor T1 is turned off, the driving transistorT2 supplies a predetermined current to the electroluminescent element130 due to a potential difference charged to the storage capacitor Cstuntil a data signal of a next frame is supplied, thereby keeping theelectroluminescent element 130 emitting light. The electroluminescentelement 130 may be implemented as an electroluminescent diode. Theelectroluminescent diode may include an anode electrode, anelectroluminescent layer corresponding to the anode electrode, and acathode electrode corresponding to the electroluminescent layer. Thecathode electrode is configured to receive a low potential voltage VSSfrom a low potential power line.

In embodiments disclosed herein, transistors are not limited to thedrawings and may be variously modified into N-type transistors, P-typetransistors, and CMOS transistors.

The touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display 1000 according tothe embodiment of the disclosure may be configured to correspond to thedisplay area AA. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, an area of the touch sensor 160 may be greater than the displayarea AA, and the touch sensor 160 may be configured to further sense atouch input of the non-display area NA.

The touch sensor 160 includes a plurality of touch electrodes. The touchsensor 160 may be configured to sense change in a mutual capacitanceand/or a self-capacitance resulting from a touch operation of a userthrough the plurality of touch electrodes, sense whether or not there isthe touch operation, and detect a touch position when there is the touchoperation.

FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a first mesh electrodelayer of the touch sensor 160 in an electroluminescent display accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second mesh electrodelayer of the touch sensor 160 in an electroluminescent display accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface A′-A″ of the touch sensor 160 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface B′-B″ of the touch sensor 160 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

An electroluminescent display 1000 according to an embodiment of thedisclosure is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the electroluminescent display 1000according to the embodiment of the disclosure at least includes adisplay panel 102 and a touch sensor 160.

The display panel 102 at least includes a substrate 110, a transistor120, an electroluminescent element 130, and an encapsulation unit 140.

The substrate 110 may be made of a material with flexibilitycharacteristics. For example, the substrate 110 may includepolyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide, polyethylenenaphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene sulfide,polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, photo acrylic, or a polymer resinsuch as cellulose acetate propionate (CAP). However, embodiments are notlimited thereto. For example, the substrate 110 may be made of a glasshaving flexible characteristics or an insulation-treated metal thin filmhaving flexible characteristics.

The substrate 110 supports various components of the electroluminescentdisplay 1000. The transistor 120 is disposed on the substrate 110. Theexemplary transistor 120 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may correspond to astructure of the switching transistor T1 and the driving transistor T2of the exemplary subpixel PXL shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustratea cross section of the driving transistor T2 by way of example.

The transistor 120 may include a semiconductor layer 121, a gateinsulating layer 122 configured to insulate the semiconductor layer 121from a gate electrode 123, the gate electrode 123 that is disposed onthe gate insulating layer 122 and overlaps the semiconductor layer 121,an interlayer dielectric layer 124 configured to insulate the gateelectrode 123 from a source electrode 125 and a drain electrode 126, andthe source electrode 125 and the drain electrode 126 that are disposedon the interlayer dielectric layer 124 and are electrically connected tothe semiconductor layer 121 through a contact hole. A structure of theabove-described transistor 120 may be referred to as a transistor havinga coplanar structure.

However, the transistor according to embodiments of the disclosure isnot limited thereto and may be implemented as a transistor of variousstructures. For example, the transistor according to embodiments of thedisclosure may have an inverted staggered structure.

A planarization layer 129 is disposed on the transistor 120 andplanarizes an upper part of the transistor 120. The electroluminescentelement 130 and the transistor 120 may be electrically connected to eachother through a contact hole of the planarization layer 129. Theplanarization layer 129 may be formed of an organic material havingplanarization characteristics. For example, photo acrylic or polyimide,etc, may be used as the organic material.

The electroluminescent element 130 includes an anode electrode 131, anelectroluminescent layer 132 formed on the anode electrode 131, and acathode electrode 133 formed on the electroluminescent layer 132.

The electroluminescent element 130 is connected to the transistor 120and is configured to receive a current. For example, the anode electrode131 of the electroluminescent element 130 is connected to the drainelectrode 126 of the transistor 120.

The anode electrode 131 is electrically connected to the drain electrode126 of the transistor 120 exposed through a contact hole penetrating theplanarization layer 129. The electroluminescent layer 132 is disposed onthe anode electrode 131, of which edges are surrounded by a bank 134. Inother words, the bank 134 covers a portion of an outer periphery of theanode electrode 131. A portion of the anode electrode 131 which is notcovered by the bank 134 and is exposed may be defined as an emissionregion of the subpixel. A spacer may be disposed in a portion of thebank 134. The spacer may be formed in such a manner that a height of aportion of the bank 134 increases through a halftone exposure. Thespacer may function to support a mask when the electroluminescent layer132 is formed.

The electroluminescent layer 132 is disposed in the emission region ofthe subpixel. The electroluminescent layer 132 may have a single-layerstructure or a multi-layer structure. For example, theelectroluminescent layer 132 may further include a hole transport layer,an electron transport layer, and the like. The electroluminescent layer132 may include a light emitting material corresponding to a color ofthe subpixel in order to display an intrinsic color of each subpixel.

When the electroluminescent layer 132 includes an organic material, theelectroluminescent element 130 may be referred to as an organic lightemitting diode. When the electroluminescent layer 132 includes aninorganic material, the electroluminescent element 130 may be referredto as an inorganic light emitting diode. For example, when the inorganiclight emitting diode is formed using a quantum dot material, theelectroluminescent element 130 may be referred to as a quantum dot lightemitting diode. The electroluminescent layer 132 may be formedindividually depending on an intrinsic color of each subpixel. However,embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, if all the subpixelshave a white color, light emitting layers of the subpixels may be formedas a common layer. The common layer may mean a layer formed throughoutthe display area AA.

The hole transport layer and/or the electron transport layer can providea function of facilitating the movement of holes and electrons for thelight emitting layer. The hole transport layer and/or the electrontransport layer may be formed as a common layer. However, embodimentsare not limited thereto. For example, the hole transport layer and/orthe electron transport layer may be selectively applied to individuallyimprove characteristics of each subpixel. In this instance, the holetransport layer and/or the electron transport layer may be formed in aspecific portion of the display area AA and may have differentthicknesses depending on the subpixels.

The cathode electrode 133 is formed to face the anode electrode 131 withthe electroluminescent layer 132 interposed therebetween. When thecathode electrode 133 is formed to cover the display area AA, thecathode electrode 133 may be referred to as a common electrode. Inparticular, the cathode electrode 133 configured as the common electrodeforms a parasitic capacitance Cp together with the touch sensor 160 inthe display area AA.

The encapsulation unit 140 may be configured to block moisture or oxygenfrom penetrating into the electroluminescent element 130 which may bevulnerable to moisture or oxygen. In particular, when theelectroluminescent element 130 includes an organic material, theelectroluminescent element 130 may be further vulnerable to moisture andoxygen. Therefore, in this instance, the encapsulation unit 140 thusconfigured can protect the electroluminescent element 130. To this end,the encapsulation unit 140 may at least include a first inorganicencapsulation layer 141, an organic encapsulation layer 142 on the firstinorganic encapsulation layer 141, and a second inorganic encapsulationlayer 143 on the organic encapsulation layer 142. Namely, theencapsulation unit 140 may include at least two inorganic encapsulationlayers 141 and 143 and at least one organic encapsulation layer 142.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure are described using theencapsulation unit 140, that is configured such that the organicencapsulation layer 142 is sealed between the first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer143, as an example.

The first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 is disposed on the cathodeelectrode 133. The first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 is configuredto seal the plurality of subpixels arranged in the display area AA.Further, the first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 is extended to atleast a portion of the non-display area NA. The first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 may be formed of an inorganic insulatingmaterial capable of being deposited at a low temperature, for example,silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON),or aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). Hence, because the first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 is deposited in a low temperature atmosphere,the first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 can prevent theelectroluminescent layer 132, which is vulnerable to a high temperatureatmosphere, from being damaged when the first inorganic encapsulationlayer 141 is deposited. For example, when the first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 is formed of silicon nitride (SiNx), a thicknessof the first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 may be 0.1 μm to 1.5 μm.However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

The organic encapsulation layer 142 can serve as a buffer for reducing astress between the respective layers of the electroluminescent display1000, enhance a planarization performance, and compensate for a foreignsubstance to improve flatness and quality of the second inorganicencapsulation layer 143. The organic encapsulation layer 142 may beformed of an organic insulating material such as an acrylic resin, anepoxy resin, polyimide, polyethylene, or silicon oxycarbide (SiOC). Theorganic encapsulation layer 142 may be formed using a chemical vapordeposition method, an inkjet printing method, or a squeegee method.Further, the organic encapsulation layer 142 has an advantage that athickness can be easily adjusted. Thus, a thickness of the encapsulationunit 140 can be easily adjusted by adjusting the thickness of theorganic encapsulation layer 142.

The second inorganic encapsulation layer 143 is configured to seal theorganic encapsulation layer 142. In other words, the second inorganicencapsulation layer 143 is configured to cover the organic encapsulationlayer 142 and contact the first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 sothat the organic encapsulation layer 142 is not exposed to the outside.In particular, when the side of the organic encapsulation layer 142 isexposed to the outside, the organic encapsulation layer 142 may be apenetration path of moisture and oxygen. Therefore, the organicencapsulation layer 142 is configured to be sealed by the firstinorganic encapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganic encapsulationlayer 143. Thus, the first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 and thesecond inorganic encapsulation layer 143 are configured to extend moreoutward than the organic encapsulation layer 142. Hence, the organicencapsulation layer 142 can be sealed, and the first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 143can contact each other in the non-display area NA. In particular, whenthe first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganicencapsulation layer 143 are configured to contact each other and sealthe organic encapsulation layer 142, they can effectively preventmoisture and oxygen from penetrating into the organic encapsulationlayer 142. The second inorganic encapsulation layer 143 may be formed ofan inorganic insulating material such as silicon nitride (SiNx), siliconoxide (SiOx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Forexample, when the second inorganic encapsulation layer 143 is formed ofsilicon nitride (SiNx), a thickness of the second inorganicencapsulation layer 143 may be 0.1 μm to 1.5 μm. However, embodimentsare not limited thereto.

Change in flexible or foldable characteristics of the electroluminescentdisplay 1000 depending on the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140will be described below. The thickness of the encapsulation unit 140affects flexibility characteristics of the electroluminescent display1000. For example, as the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140increases, a tensile stress and a compressive stress applied to each ofthe first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganicencapsulation layer 143 increase. Therefore, when the electroluminescentdisplay 1000 is bent, there is an increased possibility that a crackwill be generated in the encapsulation unit 140. In other words, becausethe first inorganic encapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganicencapsulation layer 143 mainly perform a function of blocking thepenetration of moisture and oxygen, they are relatively harder than theorganic encapsulation layer 142.

In a related art, there were attempts to reduce a parasitic capacitanceCp between a touch sensor and a cathode electrode by designing a thickencapsulation unit. For example, the related art could considerablyreduce the parasitic capacitance Cp by designing the encapsulation unitto have a thickness of 30 μm or more. However, as described above, whenthe thickness of the encapsulation unit increases to 30 μm or more, theencapsulation unit may be damaged due to the bending.

Further, in the related art, there were attempts to reduce the parasiticcapacitance Cp between the touch sensor and the cathode electrode byproviding a pressure sensitive adhesive or an optically clear adhesiveresin each having a thickness of 50 μm or more on the encapsulation unitand attaching the touch sensor to the encapsulation unit. However, theattempts might lead to an excessive increase in the thickness of theelectroluminescent display and to adversely affecting the flexible orfoldable characteristics of the electroluminescent display.

The encapsulation unit 140 of the electroluminescent display 1000according to the embodiment of the disclosure is designed to have athickness equal to or greater than 3 μm and equal to or less than 30 μm.

When the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is 20 μm to 30 μm, theencapsulation unit 140 can have flexible characteristics.

When the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is 15 μm to 20 μm, theflexible characteristics of the encapsulation unit 140 can be furtherimproved. However, a parasitic capacitance Cp between the touch sensor160 and the cathode electrode 133 when the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140 is 15 μm to 20 μm is relatively greater than aparasitic capacitance Cp between the touch sensor 160 and the cathodeelectrode 133 when the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is equalto or greater than 20 μm and less than 30 μm.

When the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is 10 μm to 15 μm, theflexible characteristics of the encapsulation unit 140 can be furtherimproved. However, a parasitic capacitance Cp between the touch sensor160 and the cathode electrode 133 when the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140 is 10 μm to 15 μm is relatively greater than aparasitic capacitance Cp between the touch sensor 160 and the cathodeelectrode 133 when the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is equalto or greater than 15 μm and less than 20 μm.

When the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is 3 μm to 10 μm, theflexible characteristics of the encapsulation unit 140 can be furtherimproved. In particular, the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 isless than 10 μm, the flexibility characteristics of theelectroluminescent display 1000 can greatly increase, and thus theelectroluminescent display 1000 can have the excellent foldablecharacteristics. However, a parasitic capacitance Cp between the touchsensor 160 and the cathode electrode 133 when the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140 is 3 μm to 10 μm is relatively greater than aparasitic capacitance Cp between the touch sensor 160 and the cathodeelectrode 133 when the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is equalto or greater than 10 μm and less than 15 μm. Hence, touch sensitivityof the touch sensor 160 is sharply reduced, and various problems mayoccur in the touch sensing of the touch sensor 160.

In other words, when the encapsulation unit 140 is disposed between thetouch sensor 160 and the cathode electrode 133 of the electroluminescentdisplay 1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure, thethickness of the encapsulation unit 140 is a main factor determining adistance between the touch sensor 160 and the cathode electrode 133. Inparticular, when the low potential voltage VSS is applied to the cathodeelectrode 133, a parasitic capacitance Cp may be generated between thetouch sensor 160 and the cathode electrode 133. The parasiticcapacitance Cp increases as the distance between the touch sensor 160and the cathode electrode 133 decreases. Thus, when the thin profile orthe flexibility characteristics of the electroluminescent display 1000are improved through a reduction in the thickness of the encapsulationunit 140, the parasitic capacitance Cp between the touch sensor 160 andthe cathode electrode 133 increases. This may affect an operation of thetouch sensor 160. However, the encapsulation unit 140 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to have as thin a thickness as possible,considering the flexible characteristics of the encapsulation unit 140.Namely, a reduction in the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 isconsidered, considering a trade-off between the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140 and the parasitic capacitance Cp.

In addition, as described above, the first inorganic encapsulation layer141 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 143 of theencapsulation unit 140 each may have a thickness of 0.1 μm to 1.5 μm. Athickness of the organic encapsulation layer 142 may have a valueobtained by subtracting the thicknesses of the first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 and the second inorganic encapsulation layer 143from the total thickness of the encapsulation unit 140.

The thickness of the organic encapsulation layer 142 may vary dependingon its position in the display area AA. This is caused by theflowability or the planarization characteristics of the organicencapsulation layer 142. More specifically, an upper surface of theorganic encapsulation layer 142 (i.e., a contact surface between theorganic encapsulation layer 142 and the second inorganic encapsulationlayer 143 in the display area AA) may be substantially flat, and a lowersurface of the organic encapsulation layer 142 (i.e., a contact surfacebetween the organic encapsulation layer 142 and the first inorganicencapsulation layer 141 in the display area AA) may be substantiallyuneven. The uneven shape of the organic encapsulation layer 142 may bedetermined depending on shapes of the electroluminescent element 130,the bank 134, and/or the spacer.

The thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 of the electroluminescentdisplay 1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure will bedescribed based on a central area of the bank 134 for convenience ofexplanation. The central area of the bank 134 may indicate a portion ofthe bank 134 having a maximum height. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto. For example, the central area of the bank 134 mayindicate a central position between the subpixels adjacent to both sidesof the bank 134.

The touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display 1000 according tothe embodiment of the disclosure is configured such that a distance L1between the touch sensor 160 and the cathode electrode 133 in thecentral area of the bank 134 is less than a distance L2 between thetouch sensor 160 and the cathode electrode 133 in an emission region ofthe subpixel. Thus, a parasitic capacitance Cp formed between thecathode electrode 133 on the bank 134 and the touch sensor 160relatively increases. Namely, because the touch sensor 160 is designedin consideration of a maximum parasitic capacitance, the parasiticcapacitance will be described based on the central area of the bank 134.However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

More specifically, the spacer may be formed at a position higher thanthe bank 134 in a specific portion of the display area AA. However,because an area of the bank 134 is relatively larger than an area of thespacer, the parasitic capacitance will be described based on the bank134 for convenience of explanation. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto. For example, the parasitic capacitance may be described basedon the spacer.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the organic encapsulation layer142 in the non-display area NA may gradually decrease. However,embodiments are not limited thereto.

Some embodiments may use a dam structure for preventing the overcoatingor the overflow of an organic encapsulation layer in the non-displayarea NA. The dam structure may further include additional structures orstepped portions to thereby prevent the overcoating of the organicencapsulation layer. In particular, when the overcoating of the organicencapsulation layer occurs, the organic encapsulation layer may not besealed by the first inorganic encapsulation layer and the secondinorganic encapsulation layer. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto.

Some embodiments may further include a crack propagation blockingpattern for blocking the crack propagation of the first inorganicencapsulation layer and the second inorganic encapsulation layer in thenon-display area NA. The crack propagation blocking pattern may have,for example, a trench structure. The crack propagation blocking patternindicates a structure having stepped portions configured to patterninorganic encapsulation layers at predetermined intervals and block acrack from propagating when the crack occurs. Therefore, the crackpropagation blocking pattern can perform a function of blocking thecrack propagation in the inorganic encapsulation layer. The crackpropagation blocking pattern may be disposed outside the dam structure.However, embodiments are not limited thereto. More specifically, when acrack occurs in the second inorganic encapsulation layer, the crack maypropagate and damage the touch sensor 160. However, when the crackpropagation blocking pattern is provided as described above, the touchsensor 160 can be protected.

Some embodiments may further include a touch buffer layer between thesecond inorganic encapsulation layer and a first mesh electrode layer.The touch buffer layer may be a buffer layer for protecting a pad areadisposed in the non-display area of the display panel. For example, adata signal and a scan signal for displaying an image on the displayarea have to be supplied to the non-display area. Therefore, a padportion for supplying signals to the data lines and the scan lines maybe provided. Further, when the touch sensor is formed, it may benecessary to protect the data lines and the scan lines, which have beenalready formed, during etching and deposition processes formanufacturing first and second mesh electrode layers. Thus, in thisinstance, the touch buffer layer may be further provided on the secondinorganic encapsulation layer. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto. The touch buffer layer can function to protect the componentsof the display panel and may be formed of the same material as thesecond inorganic encapsulation layer. The touch buffer layer may bedeposited to be thinner than the second inorganic encapsulation layer.For example, when a thickness of the second inorganic encapsulationlayer is 1 μm, a thickness of the touch buffer layer may be 0.1 μm.However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, a structure and an operation method capable of reducing theparasitic capacitance Cp using the touch sensor 160 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure will be described.

Referring again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the touch sensor 160 is disposed onthe encapsulation unit 140 of the electroluminescent display 1000according to the embodiment of the disclosure. The touch sensor 160 atleast includes a first mesh electrode layer 161, a first touchinsulating layer 164, a second mesh electrode layer 165, and a secondtouch insulating layer 168.

The first mesh electrode layer 161 is disposed on the encapsulation unit140. The first mesh electrode layer 161 is disposed to face the cathodeelectrode 133 with the encapsulation unit 140 interposed therebetween.The first mesh electrode layer 161 may be formed of a metallicconductive material with a low electrical resistance. For example, thefirst mesh electrode layer 161 may be formed of aluminum (Al), titanium(Ti), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), or an alloy thereof. However,embodiments are not limited thereto. The first mesh electrode layer 161may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. Forexample, the first mesh electrode layer 161 may have a three-layerstructure of Ti/Al/Ti or Mo/Al/Mo. When the first mesh electrode layer161 is formed of the metallic conductive material, the first meshelectrode layer 161 can have excellent flexible characteristics.Therefore, the first mesh electrode layer 161 has an advantage that itcan be applied to flexible or foldable displays. Further, because thefirst mesh electrode layer 161 has the low electrical resistance, thefirst mesh electrode layer 161 can decrease a width W1 of wires of afirst mesh electrode and may be formed in a mesh shape having a widthless than a width of the bank 134. Thus, because the first meshelectrode layer 161 does not cover the emission region of the subpixel,an influence of the first mesh electrode layer 161 on quality of animage displayed on the display panel 102 can be minimized. In addition,as the first mesh electrode layer 161 approaches the bank 134, areduction in image quality at a side viewing angle of the display panel102 can be minimized.

When the first mesh electrode layer 161 is disposed in the central areaof the bank 134, a distance between the first mesh electrode layer 161and the bank 134 can be minimized. Thus, a parasitic capacitance betweenthe first mesh electrode layer 161 and the cathode electrode 133 canincrease. Hence, the first mesh electrode layer 161 may be configured toprovide a function of reducing or blocking a parasitic capacitance Cpfrom being formed between the cathode electrode 133 and the second meshelectrode layer 165.

The first touch insulating layer 164 is disposed on the first meshelectrode layer 161. The first touch insulating layer 164 is configuredto function to insulate the first mesh electrode layer 161 from thesecond mesh electrode layer 165. The first touch insulating layer 164may be formed of an inorganic layer such as silicon nitride (SiNx),silicon oxide (SiOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), or acryl-based,epoxy-based, Parylene-C, Parylene-N, Parylene-F, or siloxane-basedorganic layer. For example, a thickness of the first touch insulatinglayer 164 may be 0.01 μm to 3 μm. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto.

The second mesh electrode layer 165 is disposed on the first touchinsulating layer 164. The second mesh electrode layer 165 is disposed toface the cathode electrode 133 with the first mesh electrode layer 161interposed therebetween. The second mesh electrode layer 165 may beformed of a metallic conductive material with a low electricalresistance. For example, the second mesh electrode layer 165 may beformed of aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), oran alloy thereof. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Thesecond mesh electrode layer 165 may have a single-layer structure or amulti-layer structure. For example, the second mesh electrode layer 165may have a three-layer structure of Ti/Al/Ti or Mo/Al/Mo. When thesecond mesh electrode layer 165 is formed of the metallic conductivematerial, the second mesh electrode layer 165 can have excellentflexible characteristics. Therefore, the second mesh electrode layer 165has an advantage that it can be applied to flexible or foldabledisplays. Further, because the second mesh electrode layer 165 has thelow electrical resistance, the second mesh electrode layer 165 candecrease a width W2 of wires of a second mesh electrode and may beformed in a mesh shape having a width less than the width of the bank134. Thus, because the second mesh electrode layer 165 does not shieldor cover the emission region of the subpixel, an influence of the secondmesh electrode layer 165 on quality of an image displayed on the displaypanel 102 can be minimized. In addition, as the second mesh electrodelayer 165 approaches the bank 134, a reduction in image quality at theside viewing angle of the display panel 102 can be minimized.

A parasitic capacitance Cp formed between the cathode electrode 133 andthe second mesh electrode layer 165 is reduced by the first meshelectrode layer 161. Because the first mesh electrode layer 161 isdisposed on the bank 134 and between the cathode electrode 133 and thesecond mesh electrode layer 165, the first mesh electrode layer 161 canreduce or shield the parasitic capacitance Cp that may be generatedbetween the cathode electrode 133 and the second mesh electrode layer165. Thus, even if the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140decreases, the second mesh electrode layer 165 can reduce an influenceof the parasitic capacitance Cp resulting from the cathode electrode133. For example, the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 may beequal to or less than 5 μm.

Because the second mesh electrode layer 165 has a mesh shape, an overlaparea between the second mesh electrode layer 165 and the cathodeelectrode 133 can be minimized. As the overlap area between the cathodeelectrode 133 and the second mesh electrode layer 165 decreases, theparasitic capacitance Cp can be reduced in proportional to the overlaparea. Thus, the width W2 of the wires of the second mesh electrode layer165 can be minimized. Further, as the width W2 of the wires of thesecond mesh electrode layer 165 is minimized, the flexibilitycharacteristics of the second mesh electrode layer 165 can be improved,and a possibility of cracking of the second mesh electrode layer 165resulting from the bending can be reduced.

For example, in the display area AA, 80% or more of an area of thesecond mesh electrode layer 165 may overlap the first mesh electrodelayer 161. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

In other words, when the first and second mesh electrode layers 161 and165 are vertically aligned on the banks 134, a shielding efficiency ofthe parasitic capacitance Cp resulting from the cathode electrode 133can be improved by the first mesh electrode layer 161.

More specifically, when the width W1 of the wire of the first meshelectrode layer 161 is equal to or greater than the width W2 of the wireof the second mesh electrode layer 165, the shielding efficiency of theparasitic capacitance Cp can be improved by the first mesh electrodelayer 161. Further, the width W1 of the wire of the first mesh electrodelayer 161 may be greater than the width W2 of the wire of the secondmesh electrode layer 165 at a level that does not affect the imagequality at the side viewing angle of the display panel 102. A degree towhich the width W1 of the wire of the first mesh electrode layer 161 isgreater than the width W2 of the wire of the second mesh electrode layer165 may be determined in consideration of the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140 and the side viewing angle of the display panel102. Namely, the widths W1 and W2 of the wires of the first and secondmesh electrode layers 161 and 165 may increase as the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140 decreases, and the widths W1 and W2 may increaseto a degree that the side viewing angle of the display panel 102 isreduced.

In addition, the width W1 of the wire of the first mesh electrode layer161 and the width W2 of the wire of the second mesh electrode layer 165may be individually determined depending on the thickness of theencapsulation unit 140.

For example, as the thickness of the encapsulation unit 140 decreases,the parasitic capacitance Cp between the cathode electrode 133 and thesecond mesh electrode layer 165 increases. However, when the width W2 ofthe wire of the second mesh electrode layer 165 decreases, the overlaparea between the cathode electrode 133 and the second mesh electrodelayer 165 can decrease. Hence, an increase in the parasitic capacitanceCp can be suppressed. However, as the width W2 of the wire of the secondmesh electrode layer 165 decreases, a wire resistance (Ω) of the secondmesh electrode layer 165 increases. Therefore, the width W2 of the wireof the second mesh electrode layer 165 has to be designed to have thewire resistance (Ω) at a level that the touch sensing can be performed.For example, the width W2 of the wire of the second mesh electrode layer165 may be 1.5 μm to 10 μm. However, embodiments are not limitedthereto.

Further, when the width W1 of the wire of the first mesh electrode layer161 is designed to be greater than the width W2 of the wire of thesecond mesh electrode layer 165, an overlap area between the cathodeelectrode 133 and the first mesh electrode layer 161 can increase.Hence, the first mesh electrode layer 161 can increase a shielding levelof the parasitic capacitance Cp between the cathode electrode 133 andthe second mesh electrode layer 165. However, as the width W1 of thewire of the first mesh electrode layer 161 increases, the first meshelectrode layer 161 is close to the emission region of the subpixel.Therefore, the width W1 of the wire of the first mesh electrode layer161 has to be designed to increase at a level that does not affect theside viewing angle of the display panel 102. For example, the width W1of the wire of the first mesh electrode layer 161 may be 1.5 μm to 12μm. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

In other words, the electroluminescent element 130 includes the cathodeelectrode 133. A distance between the common electrode and the firstmesh electrode layer may be 3 μm to 30 μm, and a distance between thefirst mesh electrode layer and the second mesh electrode layer may be0.01 μm to 3 m.

A portion of the first mesh electrode layer 161 and a portion of thesecond mesh electrode layer 165 are electrically connected to each otherthrough a contact hole CNT of the first touch insulating layer 164.

The second touch insulating layer 168 is disposed on the second meshelectrode layer 165. The second touch insulating layer 168 is configuredto cover the second mesh electrode layer 165. The second touchinsulating layer 168 may be formed of an inorganic layer such as siliconnitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), and silicon oxynitride (SiON), oracryl-based, epoxy-based, Parylene-C, Parylene-N, Parylene-F, orsiloxane-based organic layer. The second touch insulating layer 168prevents corrosion of the second mesh electrode layer 165 or insulatesthe second mesh electrode layer 165. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto, and the second touch insulating layer 168 may beomitted, if necessary or desired.

In some embodiments, various functional layers including a protectivefilm, an antistatic film, a polarizing film, an external light absorbingfilm, a protective glass, etc. may be further provided on the touchsensor 160.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the touch sensor 160 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure is described.

The first mesh electrode layer 161 includes a first opening OP1 and afirst disconnection portion CUT1 when viewed from the plane. The secondmesh electrode layer 165 includes a second opening OP2 and a seconddisconnection portion CUT2 when viewed from the plane.

The first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 are configured tosurround the emission region of the subpixel. As an example of theemission region of the subpixel, a red emission region R, a greenemission region G, and a blue emission region B are shown in FIGS. 2 and3. However, the color of the emission region is not limited thereto andmay be variously changed depending on wavelength characteristics of theelectroluminescent layer of the subpixel. In addition, FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate the emission regions having a rhombic or diamond shape, byway of example. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Forexample, the emission region may have various shapes including atriangle, a rectangle, a polygon, an oval, and a circle, etc.

The first disconnection portion CUT1 indicates an area where a portionof the first mesh electrode layer 161 is disconnected. Specifically, thefirst mesh electrode layer 161 may be divided into a first meshelectrode 162 and a second mesh electrode 163 by the first disconnectionportion CUT1. The first mesh electrode 162 and the second mesh electrode163 are electrically insulated from each other by the firstdisconnection portion CUT1. The first disconnection portion CUT1 mayhave a specific disconnection pattern. Namely, shapes of the first meshelectrode 162 and the second mesh electrode 163 may be determined by thedisconnection pattern of the first disconnection portion CUT1.

The second disconnection portion CUT2 indicates an area where a portionof the second mesh electrode layer 165 is disconnected. Specifically,the second mesh electrode layer 165 may be divided into a third meshelectrode 166 and a fourth mesh electrode 167 by the seconddisconnection portion CUT2. The third mesh electrode 166 and the fourthmesh electrode 167 are electrically insulated from each other by thesecond disconnection portion CUT2. The second disconnection portion CUT2may have a specific disconnection pattern different from the firstdisconnection portion CUT1. Namely, shapes of the third mesh electrode166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167 may be determined by thedisconnection pattern of the second disconnection portion CUT2.

The first mesh electrode 162 and the second mesh electrode 163 eachinclude the plurality of first openings OP1, and the emission region ofthe subpixel is disposed in each first opening OP1. The third meshelectrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167 each include theplurality of second openings OP2, and the emission region of thesubpixel is disposed in each second opening OP2. Namely, an emissionregion of one subpixel may be disposed corresponding to the firstopening OP1 and the second opening OP2.

When the width W1 of the wire of the first mesh electrode layer 161 isequal to the width W2 of the wire of the second mesh electrode layer165, an area of the first opening OP1 and an area of the second openingOP2 may be equal to each other. Further, when the width W1 of the wireof the first mesh electrode layer 161 is greater than the width W2 ofthe wire of the second mesh electrode layer 165, an area of the firstopening OP1 may be less than an area of the second opening OP2.

In other words, the first mesh electrode layer 161 may include the firstopening OP1 and the first disconnection portion CUT1, the second meshelectrode layer 165 may include the second opening OP2 and the seconddisconnection portion CUT2, and the electroluminescent element 130 maybe disposed in the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 or inthe first disconnection portion CUT1 and the second disconnectionportion CUT2.

The first mesh electrode 162, the second mesh electrode 163, the thirdmesh electrode 166, and the fourth mesh electrode 167 overlap the bank134 and are arranged along a central portion between the adjacentemission regions. Namely, the shape of the mesh electrodes correspondsto the shape of the emission region of the subpixel. The mesh electrodesmay be disposed on the bank 134 without covering the emission region andthus do not affect the image quality of the display panel 102.

A first wire portion 169 connected to the first mesh electrode layer 161and a second wire portion 170 connected to the second mesh electrodelayer 165 are disposed in the non-display area NA. The first touchinsulating layer 164 may be disposed between the first wire portion 169and the second wire portion 170. The first wire portion 169 and thesecond wire portion 170 are connected to a pad portion PAD. The touchsensor 160 may be electrically connected to a circuit unit through thepad portion PAD.

Examples of the circuit unit may include a timing controller integratedcircuit (IC) configured to supply an image signal, a data driver IC, apower IC configured to supply power, a power supply unit, a DC-DCconverter, or a touch driver. The circuit unit may be configured tosupply a specific voltage or a specific waveform signal.

For example, the circuit unit may be the touch driver. The touch drivermay be configured to apply a driving signal to the third mesh electrode166 and receive a sensing signal from the fourth mesh electrode 167,thereby obtaining whether or not a touch operation is performed andtouch position information.

For example, the touch driver may be configured to sequentially performa mutual capacitance sensing drive and a self-capacitance sensing drive.

For example, the circuit unit may be the power supply unit. The powersupply unit may supply a specific common voltage or a specific pulsesignal to the second mesh electrode 163.

The first wire portion 169 may be formed of the same material as thefirst mesh electrode layer 161. The first wire portion 169 may be formedat the same time as the first mesh electrode layer 161. However,embodiments are not limited thereto. The second wire portion 170 may beformed of the same material as the second mesh electrode layer 165. Thesecond wire portion 170 may be formed at the same time as the secondmesh electrode layer 165. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.The pad portion PAD may be formed of the same material as the first meshelectrode layer 161 and/or the second mesh electrode layer 165. The padportion PAD may be formed at the same time as the first mesh electrodelayer 161 and/or the second mesh electrode layer 165. However,embodiments are not limited thereto.

In the touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display 1000 accordingto the embodiment of the disclosure, the first wire portion 169 composedof one wire is shown for convenience of explanation. However,embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the number of firstwire portions 169 is not limited, and the first wire portion 169 mayfurther include a plurality of wires for the supply of a constantvoltage.

The third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167 aredescribed below.

The second mesh electrode layer 165 is divided into a plurality ofblocks and is configured to sense a touch input. The first meshelectrode layer 161 is divided into a plurality of blocks and isconfigured to perform a bridge function of connecting some of theplurality of blocks of the second mesh electrode layer 165 whilereducing the parasitic capacitance Cp between the cathode electrode 133and the second mesh electrode layer 165.

The second mesh electrode layer 165 is configured to generate acapacitance and sense a touch input.

The third mesh electrode 166 is configured to at least serve as adriving electrode of the touch sensor 160. The third mesh electrode 166is arranged in a second direction (for example, Y-axis direction). Thethird mesh electrode 166 includes a plurality of channels, and eachchannel is connected to the second wire portion 170 in the non-displayarea NA. The second wire portion 170 is connected to the pad part PAD.The third mesh electrode 166 may be electrically connected to the touchdriver through the pad portion PAD.

The fourth mesh electrode 167 is configured to at least serve as asensing electrode of the touch sensor 160. Namely, the second meshelectrode layer 165 may be configured to generate a capacitance andsense a touch input. The fourth mesh electrode 167 is arranged in afirst direction (for example, X-axis direction). The fourth meshelectrode 167 includes a plurality of channels, and each channel isconnected to the second wire portion 170 in the non-display area NA. Thesecond wire portion 170 is connected to the pad portion PAD. The fourthmesh electrode 167 may be electrically connected to the touch driverthrough the pad portion PAD. Namely, the fourth mesh electrode 167 isdivided into a plurality of island shapes by the second disconnectionportion CUT2. The islands may be referred to as blocks. However,embodiments are not limited thereto.

A contact hole CNT is formed in the fourth mesh electrode 167 at anintersection of the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth meshelectrode 167. The blocks of the fourth mesh electrode 167 are connectedin the first direction (X-axis) through the bridge function of the firstmesh electrode layer 161.

A mutual capacitance or a self-capacitance which may be used for touchsensing is generated by the arrangement of the third and fourth meshelectrodes 166 and 167 and the driving signals. For example, the thirdmesh electrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167 intersect eachother to thereby generate the mutual capacitance. Thus, the mutualcapacitance can perform as a function of the touch sensor 160 bycharging electric charges in response to a touch driving pulse signalsupplied to the third mesh electrode 166 and discharging the chargedelectric charges to the fourth mesh electrode 167.

The first mesh electrode 162 and the second mesh electrode 163 aredescribed below.

The first mesh electrode 162 is configured to perform a bridge functionof electrically connecting the blocks of the fourth mesh electrode 167.Namely, the first mesh electrode 162 contacts the fourth mesh electrode167 adjacent to the first mesh electrode 162 through the contact holeCNT and intersects the third mesh electrode 166 extended in the seconddirection. The first mesh electrode 162 is electrically insulated fromthe second mesh electrode 163 by the first disconnection portion CUT1.

The electroluminescent element 130 includes a common electrode, and thefirst mesh electrode 162 and the common electrode are configured togenerate a capacitance.

The second mesh electrode 163 is configured to serve as a shieldingelectrode of the touch sensor 160. The second mesh electrode 163 isdisposed such that the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth meshelectrode 167 directly face the cathode electrode 133 in as small anarea as possible. In other words, the second mesh electrode 163 isdisposed to overlap at least a portion of the third mesh electrode 166and at least a portion of the fourth mesh electrode 167. According tothe above-described configuration, the parasitic capacitance Cp betweenthe cathode electrode 133 and the second mesh electrode layer 165 can bereduced.

The second mesh electrode 163 is composed of a single channel or acommon electrode and is connected to the first wire portion 169 in thenon-display area NA. Thus, a floating voltage or a specific voltage isapplied to the second mesh electrode 163. Because the second meshelectrode 163 shields at least a portion of the third mesh electrode 166and at least a portion of the fourth mesh electrode 167, the parasiticcapacitance resulting from the cathode electrode 133 can be reduced.Thus, the second mesh electrode 163 may be referred to as a shieldingelectrode, a parasitic capacitance reduction electrode, or the like.However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

In other words, the electroluminescent display 1000 according to anembodiment of the disclosure may include an electroluminescent elementdisposed in a display area of a substrate, an encapsulation unitdisposed on the electroluminescent element, a first mesh electrode layerdisposed on the encapsulation unit, an insulating layer covering thefirst mesh electrode layer, and a second mesh electrode layer disposedon the insulating layer. The first mesh electrode layer may include afirst mesh electrode and a second mesh electrode separated from thefirst mesh electrode. The second mesh electrode layer may include athird mesh electrode extended in a first direction and a fourth meshelectrode extended in a second direction intersecting the firstdirection through the first mesh electrode intersecting the third meshelectrode.

In other words, a flexible electroluminescent display according to anembodiment of the disclosure includes a flexible substrate, a transistorpositioned on the flexible substrate, an anode electrode positioned onthe transistor, a bank surrounding the anode electrode, anelectroluminescent layer positioned on the anode electrode, a cathodeelectrode positioned on the electroluminescent layer, a flexibleencapsulation unit positioned on the cathode electrode, a first meshelectrode layer positioned on the flexible encapsulation unit andconfigured to overlap the bank and generate a first capacitance togetherwith the cathode electrode, an insulating layer covering the first meshelectrode layer, and a second mesh electrode layer positioned on theinsulating layer and configured to overlap the first mesh electrodelayer and generate a second capacitance together with the first meshelectrode layer.

The first disconnection portion CUT1 may have an X-shape and/or an ovalshape when viewed from the plan view of the touch sensor 160 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure. However, the X-shape of the first disconnection portion CUT1corresponds to the shape of the second disconnection portion CUT2 of thesecond mesh electrode layer 165, and at the same time has a structurederived to connect areas other than a bridge area as one electrode whileoptimizing an overlap area between the first disconnection portion CUT1and the third and fourth mesh electrodes 166 and 167. Thus, the shape ofthe first disconnection portion CUT1 may be configured to correspond tothe shape of the second disconnection portion CUT2. However, embodimentsare not limited thereto. For example, when there is a change in theshape of the second disconnection portion CUT2, the shape of the firstdisconnection portion CUT1 may be changed corresponding to the changedshape of the second disconnection portion CUT2. The above-describedconfiguration has an advantage that the first mesh electrode 162connecting the blocks of the fourth mesh electrode 167 and the secondmesh electrode 163 shielding the third and fourth mesh electrodes 166and 167 can be simultaneously formed by patterning the first meshelectrode layer 161.

In the touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display 1000 accordingto the embodiment of the disclosure, a width of the first disconnectionportion CUT1 is greater than a width of the second disconnection portionCUT2. According to the above-described structure, when the touch sensor160 is bent, a stress caused by the bending can be reduced.

The electroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure does not require a process for attaching a touch screen tothe electroluminescent display 1000 using an adhesive. Namely, theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure does not require a separate attaching process by sequentiallystacking the first mesh electrode layer 161 and the second meshelectrode layer 165 on the encapsulation unit 140, thereby simplifyingthe manufacturing process and reducing the manufacturing cost.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an operation of the touch sensor 160 ofthe electroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure is described below.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

More specifically, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematicallyillustrating an electrical connection of blocks of each mesh electrodefor convenience of explanation. The touch sensor 160 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure receives a touch driving signal Tx to be supplied to thethird mesh electrode 166 from the circuit unit (for example, the touchdriver for sensing a mutual capacitance). The touch driver receives atouch sensing signal Rx from the fourth mesh electrode 167 anddetermines whether or not a touch operation is performed. The first meshelectrode 162 performs a bridge function of connecting the fourth meshelectrode 167, which is divided into a plurality of parts, through thecontact hole CNT.

The second mesh electrode 163 vertically corresponds to the third meshelectrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167. The second meshelectrode 163 is configured to shield the cathode electrode 133 and thusreduces a parasitic capacitance resulting from the cathode electrode133. The second mesh electrode 163 receives a shielding signal Vadd.

Namely, a parasitic capacitance Cp between the cathode electrode 133 andthe third and fourth mesh electrodes 166 and 167 can be minimized by theshielding of the second mesh electrode 163.

In embodiments disclosed herein, a plurality of subpixels may includered subpixels, green subpixels, and blue subpixels. The subpixels may beseparated from one another by the bank, and the first mesh electrodelayer and the second mesh electrode layer may be vertically aligned onthe bank.

The electroluminescent display 1000 includes a touch driver electricallyconnected to the first mesh electrode layer 161 and the second meshelectrode layer 165. The touch driver may be configured to apply apredetermined voltage to each of the first mesh electrode layer 161 andthe second mesh electrode layer 165. Thus, when a first capacitanceincreases due to the predetermined voltage, a second capacitance may bereduced.

The second mesh electrode layer 165 may include a plurality of touchelectrodes disposed along a first direction and a second directionintersecting the first direction, and the first mesh electrode layer 161may include a plurality of active shielding electrodes. The activeshielding electrodes are disposed along the first direction and may beimplemented by a touch sensor integrated display.

FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display 1000 according tothe embodiment of the disclosure is configured to operate in at leastone sensing mode.

For example, the touch sensor 160 may operate to sense a mutualcapacitance, sense a self-capacitance, or sequentially sense a mutualcapacitance and a self-capacitance.

Namely, the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167may be configured to operate using at least one of a mutual capacitancesensing method and a self-capacitance sensing method. The second meshelectrode 163 may be configured to operate corresponding to at least onesensing method.

The mutual capacitance may be sensed in a mutual capacitance sensingperiod Mutual Cap Sensing. The self-capacitance may be sensed in aself-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing.

FIG. 7 is merely an example of a waveform diagram. Theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure may operate in only the mutual capacitance sensing period andalso operate in only the self-capacitance sensing period. In addition,when the mutual capacitance and the self-capacitance are sequentiallysensed, a touch noise such as ghost can be removed. Hence, theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure can achieve better touch sensitivity.

The mutual capacitance sensing period Mutual Cap Sensing is describedbelow.

The second mesh electrode 163 of the touch sensor 160 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to receive the shielding signal Vadd throughthe first wire portion 169 in the mutual capacitance sensing period. Theshielding signal Vadd may be set to a floating voltage capable ofreducing a difference between a voltage of the touch driving signal Txand a voltage of the cathode electrode.

The touch driver can control the second mesh electrode 163 to be in afloating voltage state.

The voltage of the cathode electrode of the electroluminescent display1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure is the low potentialvoltage VSS.

A pulse voltage of the touch driving signal Tx may include a lowpotential voltage (e.g., 0 V) and a high potential voltage (e.g., 15 V).For example, the voltage of the cathode electrode may be −4V to 0V.However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Further, the voltage ofthe cathode electrode may be fixed or may vary within a predeterminedrange. For example, the voltage of the cathode electrode may becontrolled depending on a dimming level of the display panel 102 for thepurpose of reducing power consumption.

In the mutual capacitance sensing period Mutual Cap Sensing, theshielding signal Vadd is supplied as the floating voltage.

Because the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167overlap the second mesh electrode 163, the third mesh electrode 166 andthe fourth mesh electrode 167 are not directly affected by the voltageof the cathode electrode. The third mesh electrode 166 and the fourthmesh electrode 167 are directly affected by the shielding signal Vadd.Because the shielding signal Vadd is in a floating state, the shieldingsignal Vadd can shield the parasitic capacitance resulting from thecathode electrode and at the same time cannot have a special influenceon the second mesh electrode layer 165.

More specifically, a reduction in the touch sensitivity resulting fromthe parasitic capacitance Cp between the second mesh electrode layer 165and the cathode electrode 133 may be proportional to a potentialdifference between the second mesh electrode layer 165 and the cathodeelectrode 133. Namely, as the potential difference increases, the touchsensitivity of the touch sensor 160 may be reduced. However, when thesecond mesh electrode 163 is floated between the voltage of the cathodeelectrode 133 and the third mesh electrode 166, the touch sensitivity ofthe touch sensor 160 can be improved.

The self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing is described below.

The second mesh electrode 163 of the touch sensor 160 of theelectroluminescent display 1000 according to the embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to receive the shielding signal Vadd throughthe first wire portion 169 in the self-capacitance sensing periodSelf-Cap Sensing. The shielding signal Vadd in the self-capacitancesensing period Self-Cap Sensing is synchronized with a self-capacitancesensing touch driving signal Tx applied to the third mesh electrode 166and a self-capacitance sensing touch driving signal Rx applied to thefourth mesh electrode 167. In other words, the voltage of the shieldingsignal Vadd may have substantially the same voltage as theself-capacitance sensing touch driving signal Rx.

In the self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing, pulses, inwhich a first touch signal Tx, a second touch sensing signal Rx, and theshielding signal Vadd are synchronized, are supplied to the third meshelectrode 166. In other words, in the self-capacitance sensing method,the channels of each touch electrode do not dividedly operate as thedriving electrode and the sensing electrode. Namely, embodiments are notlimited to the names of the touch driving signal Tx and the touchsensing signal Rx. In the self-capacitance sensing period Self-CapSensing, the touch driving signal Tx and the touch sensing signal Rx maymean signals configured to sense the self-capacitance of channels of thethird mesh electrode 166 and the self-capacitance of channels of thefourth mesh electrode 167 in the touch sensor 160.

According to the driving method described above, because the shieldingsignal Vadd operates synchronously with the first touch signal Tx andthe second touch signal Rx, a voltage between the first mesh electrodelayer 161 and the second mesh electrode layer 165 may be substantiallyuniform in the self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing.Further, a potential difference between the first and second meshelectrode layers 161 and 165 may be substantially eliminated. Becausethe second mesh electrode 163 is synchronized with the signals appliedto the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode 167 whileshielding the parasitic capacitance Cp, the third mesh electrode 166 andthe fourth mesh electrode 167 are not substantially affected by thesecond mesh electrode 163. Thus, the touch sensitivity of the touchsensor 160 can be improved.

In other words, the electroluminescent display 1000 according to anembodiment of the disclosure includes a substrate, a plurality ofsubpixels disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of circuitunits configured to supply an image signal and an electroluminescentdiode electrically connected to the plurality of circuit units, anencapsulation unit configured to cover the plurality of subpixels, afirst mesh electrode layer that is disposed on the encapsulation unitand is divided into a plurality of areas by a predetermineddisconnection pattern, an insulating layer covering the first meshelectrode layer, and a second mesh electrode layer that is disposed onthe insulating layer and is divided into a plurality of areas by apredetermined disconnection pattern. A shape of the predetermineddisconnection pattern of the first mesh electrode layer may be differentfrom a shape of the predetermined disconnection pattern of the secondmesh electrode layer. At least a portion of the first mesh electrodelayer and at least a portion of the second mesh electrode layer may beconfigured to receive the same signal.

A parasitic capacitance between the plurality of subpixels and thesecond mesh electrode layer can be reduced by the same signal or asynchronized signal.

FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second mesh electrodelayer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent display according toanother embodiment of the disclosure.

Description of structures and components identical or equivalent tothose described above may be briefly made or may be entirely omitted forconvenience of explanation.

There is a difference between a touch sensor 260 of anelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure and the touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure in a shape of a firstmesh electrode layer or a shape of a first disconnection portion CUT1.

A first mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 8 is substantially the same as thefirst mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 2, and thus a duplicated descriptionwill be omitted for brevity. A width of a first disconnection portionCUT1 in a second mesh electrode 263 of FIG. 8 is less than a width ofthe first disconnection portion CUT1 in the second mesh electrode 163 ofFIG. 2. More specifically, the width of the first disconnection portionCUT1 shown in FIG. 8 is substantially the same as a width of the seconddisconnection portion CUT2 shown in FIG. 2. According to theabove-described configuration, the width of the first disconnectionportion CUT1 and a width of the second disconnection portion CUT2 inFIG. 8 may be substantially same as each other. In this instance, ashielding area of the first mesh electrode layer of FIG. 8 can furtherincrease, compared to the first disconnection portion CUT1 shown in FIG.3. Hence, a shielding performance can be further improved.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second mesh electrodelayer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent display according toanother embodiment of the disclosure.

Description of structures and components identical or equivalent tothose described above may be briefly made or may be entirely omitted forconvenience of explanation.

There is a difference between a touch sensor 360 of anelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure and the touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure in a shape of a firstmesh electrode layer or a shape of a first disconnection portion CUT1.

A first mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 9 is substantially the same as thefirst mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 2, and thus a duplicated descriptionwill be omitted for brevity. A width of a first disconnection portionCUT1 in a second mesh electrode 363 of FIG. 9 is less than the width ofthe first disconnection portion CUT1 in the second mesh electrode 263 ofFIG. 8. More specifically, the width of the first disconnection portionCUT1 shown in FIG. 9 is less than the width of the second disconnectionportion CUT2 shown in FIG. 2. In this instance, a shielding area of thefirst mesh electrode layer of FIG. 9 can further increase, compared tothe first disconnection portion CUT1 shown in FIG. 8. Hence, a shieldingperformance can be further improved.

FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second meshelectrode layer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent displayaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Description of structures and components identical or equivalent tothose described above may be briefly made or may be entirely omitted forconvenience of explanation.

There is a difference between a touch sensor 460 of anelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure and the touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure in a shape of a firstmesh electrode layer.

A first mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 10 is substantially the same as thefirst mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 2, and thus a duplicated descriptionwill be omitted for brevity. A second mesh electrode 463 of FIG. 10 isconfigured such that all of a remaining area excluding a bridge areafrom the second mesh electrode 463 includes a mesh electrode withoutincluding a disconnection portion. In this instance, a shielding area ofthe first mesh electrode layer of FIG. 10 can further increase, comparedto the second disconnection portion CUT2 shown in FIG. 9. Hence, ashielding performance can be further improved.

With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the shielding performance depending onthe area of the first mesh electrode layer was described above. Asdescribed above, as the shielding area increases, the shieldingcharacteristics can be further improved. When the first disconnectionportion CUT1 is designed to correspond to the second disconnectionportion CUT2, the flexibility characteristics can be improved when theelectroluminescent display is bent.

With reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, a touch sensor 560 of anelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure is described below.

FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically illustrating a second meshelectrode layer of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent displayaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Description of structures and components identical or equivalent tothose described above may be briefly made or may be entirely omitted forconvenience of explanation.

There is a difference between a touch sensor 560 of anelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure and the touch sensor 160 of the electroluminescent display1000 according to the embodiment of the disclosure in a shape of a firstmesh electrode layer. The touch sensor 560 further includes a sixth meshelectrode 563-2.

A first mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 11 is substantially the same as thefirst mesh electrode 162 of FIG. 2, and thus a duplicated descriptionwill be omitted for brevity. A fifth mesh electrode 563-1 and the sixthmesh electrode 563-2 shown in FIG. 11 are electrically insulated fromeach other by a first disconnection portion CUT1.

The fifth mesh electrode 563-1 is configured to overlap a fourth meshelectrode 167 in as large an area as possible compared with othercomponents. In other words, an overlap area between the fifth meshelectrode 563-1 and the fourth mesh electrode 167 is greater than anoverlap area between the fifth mesh electrode 563-1 and a third meshelectrode 166. Thus, the fifth mesh electrode 563-1 is configured toshield the fourth mesh electrode 167 from a cathode electrode.

The sixth mesh electrode 563-2 is configured to overlap the third meshelectrode 166 in as large an area as possible compared with othercomponents. In other words, an overlap area between the sixth meshelectrode 563-2 and the third mesh electrode 166 is greater than anoverlap area between the sixth mesh electrode 563-2 and the fourth meshelectrode 167. Thus, the sixth mesh electrode 563-2 is configured toshield the third mesh electrode 166 from the cathode electrode.

According to the above-described configuration, the touch sensor 560 canefficiently shield a parasitic capacitance using the fifth meshelectrode 563-1 and the sixth mesh electrode 563-2 configuredrespectively corresponding to the fourth mesh electrode 167 and thethird mesh electrode 166.

A first wire portion 569 connected to the first mesh electrode layer isdisposed in a non-display area NA. The first wire portion 569 isconnected to a pad portion PAD. The touch sensor 560 may be electricallyconnected to a circuit unit through the pad portion PAD. The first wireportion 569 is connected to a channel of each of the fifth meshelectrode 563-1 and the sixth mesh electrode 563-2. Thus, the channel ofeach of the fifth mesh electrode 563-1 and the sixth mesh electrode563-2 may receive a shielding signal.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Description of structures and components identical or equivalent tothose described above may be briefly made or may be entirely omitted forconvenience of explanation.

The touch sensor 560 of the electroluminescent display according toanother embodiment of the disclosure receives a touch driving signal Txto be supplied to the third mesh electrode 166 from the circuit unit(for example, a touch driver for sensing a mutual capacitance). Thetouch driver receives a touch sensing signal Rx from the fourth meshelectrode 167 and determines whether or not a touch operation isperformed. The first mesh electrode 162 performs a bridge function ofconnecting blocks of the fourth mesh electrode 167 through a contacthole CNT.

The fifth mesh electrode 563-1 vertically corresponds to the fourth meshelectrode 167. The fifth mesh electrode 563-1 is configured to overlapthe fourth mesh electrode 167 in as large an area as possible. Namely,the fifth mesh electrode 563-1 is configured to shield a parasiticcapacitance which may be generated between the fourth mesh electrode 167and the cathode electrode.

The sixth mesh electrode 563-2 vertically corresponds to the third meshelectrode 166. The sixth mesh electrode 563-2 is configured to overlapthe third mesh electrode 166 in as large an area as possible. Namely,the sixth mesh electrode 563-2 is configured to shield a parasiticcapacitance which may be generated between the third mesh electrode 166and the cathode electrode.

The fifth mesh electrode 563-1 is configured to receive a firstshielding signal Vadd_Rx. The sixth mesh electrode 563-2 is configuredto receive a second shielding signal Vadd_Tx.

FIG. 13 is a waveform diagram schematically illustrating a drive of atouch sensor according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

The touch sensor 560 of the electroluminescent display according toanother embodiment of the disclosure is configured to operate in atleast one sensing mode.

For example, the touch sensor 560 may operate to sense a mutualcapacitance, sense a self-capacitance, or sequentially sense a mutualcapacitance and a self-capacitance.

FIG. 13 is merely an example of a waveform diagram. Theelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure may operate in only a mutual capacitance sensing period andalso operate in only a self-capacitance sensing period.

The mutual capacitance sensing period Mutual Cap Sensing is describedbelow.

The fifth mesh electrode 563-1 of the touch sensor 560 of theelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to receive the first shielding signal Vadd_Rxthrough the first wire portion 569 in the mutual capacitance sensingperiod. The first shielding signal Vadd_Rx may be set to a floatingvoltage capable of reducing a difference between a voltage of the touchsensing signal Rx and a voltage of the cathode electrode.

The sixth mesh electrode 563-2 of the touch sensor 560 of theelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to receive the second shielding signal Vadd_Txthrough the first wire portion 569 in the mutual capacitance sensingperiod. The second shielding signal Vadd_Tx may be set to a specificvoltage capable of reducing a difference between a voltage of the touchdriving signal Tx and a voltage of the cathode electrode. For example,the second shielding signal Vadd_Tx may be synchronized with the touchdriving signal Tx.

The touch driver is configured to apply voltages corresponding to thefifth mesh electrode 563-1 and the sixth mesh electrode 563-2.

According to the above-described driving method, because the pluralityof shielding signals can be optimized to the touch driving signal Tx andthe touch sensing signal Rx and can be provided for the touch sensor560, a parasitic capacitance resulting from the cathode electrode can beefficiently blocked. Further, a potential difference between the sixthmesh electrode 563-2 and the third mesh electrode 166 and a potentialdifference between the fifth mesh electrode 563-1 and the fourth meshelectrode 167 can be minimized. Thus, the touch sensitivity of the touchsensor 560 can be improved.

The self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing is described below.

The fifth mesh electrode 563-1 of the touch sensor 560 of theelectroluminescent display according to another embodiment of thedisclosure is configured to receive the first shielding signal Vadd_Rxthrough the first wire portion 169 in the self-capacitance sensingperiod Self-Cap Sensing.

Further, the sixth mesh electrode 563-2 is configured to receive thesecond shielding signal Vadd_Tx through the first wire portion 169 inthe self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing.

The first shielding signal Vadd_Rx and the second shielding signalVadd_Tx in the self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing aresynchronized with a self-capacitance sensing touch driving signal Txapplied to the third mesh electrode 166 and a self-capacitance sensingtouch driving signal Rx applied to the fourth mesh electrode 167.

In the self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing, pulses, inwhich a first touch signal Tx, a second touch sensing signal Rx, and theshielding signal Vadd are synchronized, are supplied to the third meshelectrode 166. In other words, in a self-capacitance sensing method,channels of each touch electrode do not dividedly operate as the drivingelectrode and the sensing electrode. Namely, embodiments are not limitedto the names of the touch driving signal Tx and the touch sensing signalRx. In the self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing, the touchdriving signal Tx and the touch sensing signal Rx may mean signalsconfigured to sense the self-capacitance of channels of the third meshelectrode 166 and the self-capacitance of channels of the fourth meshelectrode 167 in the touch sensor 560.

According to the driving method described above, because the firstshielding signal Vadd_Rx and the second shielding signal Vadd_Tx operatesynchronously with the first touch signal Tx and the second touch signalRx, a potential difference between the first mesh electrode layer 161and the second mesh electrode layer 165 may be substantially uniform inthe self-capacitance sensing period Self-Cap Sensing. Thus, most of theparasitic capacitance resulting from the cathode electrode is formed inthe second mesh electrode 163. Because the second mesh electrode 163 issynchronized with the signals applied to the third mesh electrode 166and the fourth mesh electrode 167 while shielding the parasiticcapacitance, the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourth mesh electrode167 are not substantially affected by the fifth mesh electrode 563-1 andthe sixth mesh electrode 563-2. Thus, the touch sensitivity of the touchsensor 560 can be improved.

FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically illustrating a bridge meshelectrode, a transparent shielding electrode, and a mesh electrode of atouch sensor in an electroluminescent display according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure.

Description of structures and components identical or equivalent tothose described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13 may be brieflymade or may be entirely omitted for convenience of explanation.

A touch sensor 660 according to another embodiment of the disclosure maybe formed on a display panel. Since the display panel may besubstantially the same as the display panel 102 described above, adetailed description is omitted.

The touch sensor 660 according to another embodiment of the disclosuremay be configured such that a transparent shielding electrode is formedbetween mesh electrodes 666 and 667 and a cathode electrode 133, inorder to shield a parasitic capacitance that may be generated betweenthe mesh electrodes 666 and 667 and the cathode electrode 133.

Since the third mesh electrode 666 of the touch sensor 660 according toanother embodiment of the disclosure is substantially the same as thethird mesh electrode 166 of the touch sensor 160 described above, afurther description is omitted.

Since the fourth mesh electrode 667 of the touch sensor 660 according toanother embodiment of the disclosure is substantially the same as thethird mesh electrode 167 of the touch sensor 160 described above, afurther description is omitted.

The mesh electrodes 666 and 667 of the touch sensor 660 according toanother embodiment of the disclosure were merely referred to as thethird mesh electrode 666 and the fourth mesh electrode 667 forconvenience of comparison with other embodiments. For example, the thirdmesh electrode 666 may be referred to as a first mesh electrode, and thefourth mesh electrode 667 may be referred to as a second mesh electrode.

Since a second wire portion 670 of the touch sensor 660 according toanother embodiment of the disclosure is substantially the same as thesecond wire portion 170 of the touch sensor 160 described above, afurther description is omitted.

FIGS. 15A to 15D are plan views schematically illustrating a stack orderof components of a touch sensor in an electroluminescent displayaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure.

More specifically, FIG. 15A is an enlarged plan view of an area X shownin FIG. 14. In FIG. 15A, only transparent shielding electrodes 676 and677 formed on the display panel are shown for convenience ofexplanation.

The first transparent shielding electrode 676 is configured to shield aparasitic capacitance which may be generated between the third meshelectrode 666 and the cathode electrode 133.

The first transparent shielding electrode 676 may be divided into aplurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks of the first transparentshielding electrode 676 may be arranged in a second direction (Y-axis).A shape of each block may correspond to the shape of the third meshelectrode 666. In other words, the first transparent shielding electrode676 may be formed in a shape capable of overlapping the third meshelectrode 666 in as large an area as possible. Thus, the firsttransparent shielding electrode 676 can reduce the parasitic capacitancewhich may be generated between the cathode electrode 133 and the thirdmesh electrode 666.

The second transparent shielding electrode 677 is configured to shield aparasitic capacitance which may be generated between the fourth meshelectrode 667 and the cathode electrode 133. The second transparentshielding electrode 677 may be extended in a first direction (X-axis). Ashape of the second transparent shielding electrode 677 may correspondto the shape of the fourth mesh electrode 667. In other words, thesecond transparent shielding electrode 677 may be formed in the shapecapable of overlapping the fourth mesh electrode 667 in as large an areaas possible. Thus, the second transparent shielding electrode 677 canreduce the parasitic capacitance which may be generated between thefourth mesh electrode 667 and the cathode electrode 133.

FIG. 15B illustrates bridge mesh electrodes 667B and 676B formed on thetransparent shielding electrodes 676 and 677 on the display panel forconvenience of explanation.

The bridge mesh electrodes 667B and 676B each include a plurality ofopenings surrounding the pixel.

The first bridge mesh electrode 667B and the second bridge meshelectrode 676B may be formed using substantially the same electrodelayer as the first mesh electrode layer 161 described in the embodimentsof the disclosure. In the following description of the first bridge meshelectrode 667B and the second bridge mesh electrode 676B, a descriptionoverlapping with the first mesh electrode layer 161 is omitted forconvenience of explanation.

An insulating layer is formed on the transparent shielding electrodes676 and 677. Hence, the transparent shielding electrodes 676 and 677 areelectrically insulated from the first bridge mesh electrode 667B and thesecond bridge mesh electrode 676B.

The second bridge mesh electrode 676B is configured to electricallyconnect the separated first transparent shielding electrodes 676 to eachother. At least one contact hole CNT may be formed in an overlap areabetween the first transparent shielding electrodes 676, which areseparated from each other on the upper side and the lower side, and thesecond bridge mesh electrode 676B, so that the second bridge meshelectrode 676B is electrically connected to the first transparentshielding electrodes 676. Thus, the second bridge mesh electrode 676Bcan electrically connect the separated first transparent shieldingelectrodes 676. The second bridge mesh electrode 676B is electricallyinsulated from the second transparent shielding electrodes 677. Thefirst bridge mesh electrode 667B is electrically insulated from thetransparent shielding electrodes 676 and 677.

FIG. 15C illustrates the transparent shielding electrodes 676 and 677 onthe display panel, the first mesh electrode 666 and the second meshelectrode 667 on the bridge mesh electrodes 667B and 676B forconvenience of explanation. Since the first mesh electrode 666 of thetouch sensor 660 is substantially the same as the third mesh electrode166 of the touch sensor 160 described above, a further description isomitted. Further, since the second mesh electrode 667 of the touchsensor 660 is substantially the same as the fourth mesh electrode 167 ofthe touch sensor 160 described above, a further description is omitted.

The first bridge mesh electrode 667B electrically connects the separatedsecond mesh electrodes 667 to each other through contact holes CNT.

According to the above-described configuration, even if the thickness ofthe encapsulation unit of the display panel decreases, the first meshelectrode 666 and the second mesh electrode 667 can reduce the parasiticcapacitance resulting from the cathode electrode 133 using the firsttransparent shielding electrodes 676 and the second transparentshielding electrodes 677.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface A′-A″ of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of thedisclosure as shown in FIG. 15D. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional viewschematically illustrating a cutting surface B′-B″ of a touch sensoraccording to another embodiment of the disclosure as shown in FIG. 15D.FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cuttingsurface C′-C″ of a touch sensor according to another embodiment of thedisclosure as shown in FIG. 15D.

Referring to FIG. 16A, a touch buffer layer 670 may be further disposedon the display panel 102. The touch buffer layer 670 may be disposedbetween the display panel 102 and the touch sensor 660. The touch bufferlayer 670 can prevent pads of the display panel 102 formed in thenon-display area NA of the display panel 102 from being corroded in anetching process for forming the touch sensor 660 on an encapsulationunit 140. A thickness of the touch buffer layer 670 may be less than athickness of a second inorganic encapsulation layer 143. The touchbuffer layer 670 may be formed of an inorganic material such as siliconnitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx), or silicon oxynitride (SiON). Athickness of the touch buffer layer 670 may be 0.1 μm to 0.4 μm.However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The touch buffer layer 670may be removed, if necessary or desired.

Referring to the cutting surfaces A′-A″, B′-B″ and C′-C″, a transparentconductive layer, for example, indium-tin-oxide (ITO) is patterned onthe display panel 102 or the touch buffer layer 670 to form the firsttransparent shielding electrode 676 and the second transparent shieldingelectrode 677. However, embodiments are not limited to ITO. The firsttransparent shielding electrode 676 and the second transparent shieldingelectrode 677 are electrically insulated from each other. A shieldingelectrode insulating layer 678 may be disposed on the first transparentshielding electrode 676 and the second transparent shielding electrode677. The shielding electrode insulating layer 678 may have a thicknessrange corresponding to materials usable in the first touch insulatinglayer 164 of the touch sensor 160. Therefore, a description overlappingwith that described above is omitted. A contact hole may be formed in aportion of the shielding electrode insulating layer 678, and thus thefirst transparent shielding electrode 676 and the second bridge meshelectrode 676B may be electrically connected to each other.

A first touch insulating layer 680 may be disposed on the second bridgemesh electrode 676B. Since the first touch insulating layer 680 of thetouch sensor 660 may be configured substantially the same as the firsttouch insulating layer 164 of the touch sensor 160, a duplicateddescription is omitted.

The first and second mesh electrodes 666 and 667 may be disposed on thefirst touch insulating layer 680. Since the first mesh electrode 666 andthe second mesh electrode 667 of the touch sensor 660 may be configuredsubstantially the same as the third mesh electrode 166 and the fourthmesh electrode 167 of the touch sensor 160, a duplicated description isomitted.

A second touch insulating layer 682 may be disposed on the first meshelectrode 666 and the second mesh electrode 667. Since the second touchinsulating layer 682 of the touch sensor 660 may be configuredsubstantially the same as the second touch insulating layer 168 of thetouch sensor 160, a duplicated description is omitted.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be described as follows.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an electroluminescent displayincluding an electroluminescent element disposed in a display area of asubstrate, an encapsulation unit disposed on the electroluminescentelement, a plurality of transparent shielding electrodes disposed on theencapsulation unit, a shielding electrode insulating layer covering theplurality of transparent shielding electrodes, a plurality of bridgemesh electrodes positioned on the shielding electrode insulating layer,a first touch insulating layer covering the plurality of bridge meshelectrodes, and a plurality of mesh electrodes positioned on the firsttouch insulating layer, wherein some of the plurality of bridge meshelectrodes are configured to connect some of the plurality oftransparent shielding electrodes through a contact hole of the shieldingelectrode insulating layer, wherein other some of the plurality ofbridge mesh electrodes are configured to connect some of the pluralityof mesh electrodes through a contact hole of the first touch insulatinglayer.

The plurality of bridge mesh electrodes may have a metal mesh shapeincluding an opening in which a subpixel including theelectroluminescent element is disposed. The electroluminescent displaymay further include a touch buffer layer disposed between theencapsulation unit and the plurality of transparent shieldingelectrodes. The plurality of transparent shielding electrodes may beconfigured to reduce a parasitic capacitance formed between a cathodeelectrode of the electroluminescent element and the plurality of meshelectrodes. A thickness of the encapsulation unit may be equal to orless than at least 5 μm. The plurality of mesh electrodes may beconfigured to operate using at least one of a mutual capacitance sensingmethod and a self-capacitance sensing method, and some of the pluralityof transparent shielding electrodes may be in a floating state. Theplurality of mesh electrodes may be configured to operate using at leastone of the mutual capacitance sensing method and the self-capacitancesensing method, and other some of the plurality of transparent shieldingelectrodes may be synchronized with a touch driving signal. Some of theplurality of bridge mesh electrodes may be configured to completelyoverlap the plurality of transparent shielding electrodes, and othersome of the plurality of bridge mesh electrodes may be configured totraverse an area in which the plurality of transparent shieldingelectrodes is not formed.

According to the above-described configuration, embodiments of thedisclosure may be modified using the transparent shielding electrodes.Embodiments of the disclosure can shield a parasitic capacitanceresulting from the cathode electrode and reduce a thickness of theencapsulation unit. Further, because a shielding area can furtherincrease, the parasitic capacitance can be shielded more efficiently.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an electroluminescent displayincluding an electroluminescent element disposed in a display area of asubstrate, an encapsulation unit disposed on the electroluminescentelement, a first mesh electrode layer disposed on the encapsulationunit, an insulating layer covering the first mesh electrode layer, and asecond mesh electrode layer disposed on the insulating layer, whereinthe first mesh electrode layer includes a first mesh electrode and asecond mesh electrode separated from the first mesh electrode, whereinthe second mesh electrode layer includes a third mesh electrode extendedin a first direction and a fourth mesh electrode extended in a seconddirection intersecting the first direction through the first meshelectrode intersecting the third mesh electrode.

The first mesh electrode layer may include a first opening and a firstdisconnection portion, and the second mesh electrode layer may include asecond opening and a second disconnection portion. Theelectroluminescent element may be disposed in the first opening and thesecond opening, or disposed in the first disconnection portion and thesecond disconnection portion.

The electroluminescent element may include a common electrode. The firstmesh electrode and the common electrode may be configured to generate acapacitance. The second mesh electrode layer may be configured togenerate a capacitance and sense a touch input. A parasitic capacitancebetween the common electrode and the third and fourth mesh electrodesmay be minimized by the second mesh electrode. The third mesh electrodeand the fourth mesh electrode may be configured to operate using atleast one of a mutual capacitance sensing method and a self-capacitancesensing method. The second mesh electrode may be configured to operatecorresponding to the at least one sensing method. The electroluminescentelement may include a common electrode. A distance between the commonelectrode and the first mesh electrode layer may be 3 μm to 30 μm, and adistance between the first mesh electrode layer and the second meshelectrode layer may be 0.01 μm to 3 μm. In the display area, 80% or moreof an area of the second mesh electrode layer may overlap the first meshelectrode layer.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a flexible electroluminescentdisplay including a flexible substrate, a transistor positioned on theflexible substrate, an anode electrode positioned on the transistor, abank surrounding the anode electrode, an electroluminescent layerpositioned on the anode electrode, a cathode electrode positioned on theelectroluminescent layer, a flexible encapsulation unit positioned onthe cathode electrode, a first mesh electrode layer positioned on theflexible encapsulation unit and configured to overlap the bank andgenerate a first capacitance together with the cathode electrode, aninsulating layer covering the first mesh electrode layer, and a secondmesh electrode layer positioned on the insulating layer and configuredto overlap the first mesh electrode layer and generate a secondcapacitance together with the first mesh electrode layer.

A magnitude of the first capacitance may be greater than a magnitude ofthe second capacitance. The flexible electroluminescent display mayfurther include a touch driver electrically connected to the first meshelectrode layer and the second mesh electrode layer. The touch drivermay be configured to apply a predetermined voltage to each of the firstmesh electrode layer and the second mesh electrode layer. When the firstcapacitance increases due to the predetermined voltage, the secondcapacitance may be reduced. The second mesh electrode layer may bedivided into a plurality of blocks and configured to sense a touchinput. The first mesh electrode layer may be divided into a plurality ofblocks and configured to perform a bridge function of connecting some ofthe plurality of blocks of the second mesh electrode layer whilereducing a parasitic capacitance between the cathode electrode and thesecond mesh electrode layer. The touch driver may be configured tosequentially perform a mutual capacitance sensing drive and aself-capacitance sensing drive. The flexible encapsulation unit mayinclude a first inorganic encapsulation layer configured to seal thecathode electrode, an organic layer configured to planarize the firstinorganic encapsulation layer, and a second inorganic encapsulationlayer configured to seal the organic layer. A thickness of the flexibleencapsulation unit may be less than 10 μm.

Embodiments of the disclosure may provide a touch sensor integrateddisplay including a substrate, a plurality of subpixels disposed on thesubstrate, the plurality of subpixels including a plurality of circuitunits configured to supply an image signal and an electroluminescentdiode electrically connected to the plurality of circuit units, anencapsulation unit configured to cover the plurality of subpixels, afirst mesh electrode layer that is disposed on the encapsulation unitand is divided into a plurality of areas by a predetermineddisconnection pattern, an insulating layer covering the first meshelectrode layer, and a second mesh electrode layer that is disposed onthe insulating layer and is divided into a plurality of areas by apredetermined disconnection pattern, wherein a shape of thepredetermined disconnection pattern of the first mesh electrode layer isdifferent from a shape of the predetermined disconnection pattern of thesecond mesh electrode layer, wherein at least a portion of the firstmesh electrode layer and at least a portion of the second mesh electrodelayer are configured to receive the same signal.

A parasitic capacitance between the plurality of subpixels and thesecond mesh electrode layer may be reduced by the same signal. Theplurality of subpixels may include red subpixels, green subpixels, andblue subpixels. The subpixels may be separated from one another by thebank. The first mesh electrode layer and the second mesh electrode layermay be vertically aligned on the bank.

The second mesh electrode layer may include a plurality of touchelectrodes disposed along a first direction and a second directionintersecting the first direction. The first mesh electrode layer mayinclude active shielding electrodes. The active shielding electrodes maybe disposed along the first direction.

As described above, the embodiments of the disclosure can solve variousproblems resulting from the parasitic capacitance generated between thecathode electrode and the touch electrode by providing the shieldingelectrode between the cathode electrode and the touch electrode.

The embodiments of the disclosure can reduce the parasitic capacitancegenerated between the cathode electrode and the touch electrode byactively driving the shielding electrode between the cathode electrodeand the touch electrode.

The embodiments of the disclosure can improve the flexibilitycharacteristics of the electroluminescent display by minimizing thethickness of the encapsulation unit.

The embodiments of the disclosure can simultaneously form the bridge andthe shielding electrode without adding a separate process.

The effects and the advantages according to the embodiments of thedisclosure are limited to the above description, and additional featuresand advantages are included in the embodiments of the disclosure.

Although the embodiments have been described with reference to a numberof illustrative embodiments thereof, numerous other modifications andembodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art that will fallwithin the scope of the principles of this disclosure. In particular,various variations and modifications are possible in the component partsand/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within thescope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Inaddition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/orarrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electroluminescent display comprising: anelectroluminescent element disposed in a display area of a substrate,the display area for displaying an image; an encapsulation unit disposedon the electroluminescent element; a first mesh electrode layer disposedon the encapsulation unit, the first mesh electrode layer including afirst mesh electrode and a second mesh electrode that is physicallyseparated from the first mesh electrode; an insulating layer coveringthe first mesh electrode layer; and a second mesh electrode layerdisposed on the insulating layer, the second mesh electrode layerincluding a third mesh electrode and a fourth mesh electrode, whereinthe third mesh electrode extends in a first direction and the fourthmesh electrode extends in a second direction that intersects the firstdirection such that the first mesh electrode of the first mesh electrodelayer intersects the third mesh electrode, wherein the first meshelectrode electrically contacts the fourth mesh electrode adjacent tothe first mesh electrode through a contact hole, wherein the second meshelectrode is configured to shield at least a portion of the third meshelectrode and at least a portion of the fourth mesh electrode, andwherein the third mesh electrode and the fourth mesh electrode serve asX and Y electrodes.
 2. The electroluminescent display of claim 1,wherein the first mesh electrode layer includes a first opening and afirst disconnection portion where a portion of the first mesh electrodelayer is disconnected, and the second mesh electrode layer includes asecond opening and a second disconnection portion where a portion of thesecond mesh electrode layer is disconnected, wherein the first openingand the second opening are configured to surround an emission region ofthe electroluminescent element, or the emission region of theelectroluminescent element is disposed in the first disconnectionportion and the second disconnection portion.
 3. The electroluminescentdisplay of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent element includes acommon electrode, and wherein the first mesh electrode and the commonelectrode are configured to generate a capacitance.
 4. Theelectroluminescent display of claim 3, wherein the second mesh electrodeis configured to generate a capacitance and sense a touch input based ona change in the capacitance.
 5. The electroluminescent display of claim4, wherein a parasitic capacitance between the common electrode and thethird mesh electrode and the fourth mesh electrode is reduced by thesecond mesh electrode of the first mesh electrode layer.
 6. Theelectroluminescent display of claim 5, wherein the third mesh electrodeand the fourth mesh electrode are configured to operate using at leastone of a mutual capacitance sensing method and a self-capacitancesensing method, wherein the second mesh electrode is configured tooperate corresponding to the at least one sensing method.
 7. Theelectroluminescent display of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescentelement includes a common electrode, wherein a distance between thecommon electrode and the first mesh electrode layer is 3 μm to 30 μm,and a distance between the first mesh electrode layer and the secondmesh electrode layer is 0.01 μm to 3 μm.
 8. The electroluminescentdisplay of claim 1, wherein at least 80% of an area of the second meshelectrode layer overlaps the first mesh electrode layer in the displayarea.
 9. An electroluminescent display comprising: a substrate includinga display area for displaying an image; an electroluminescent element onthe display area of the substrate, the electroluminescent elementincluding a common electrode; an encapsulation unit on theelectroluminescent element; a first mesh electrode layer on theencapsulation unit, the first mesh electrode layer overlapping thecommon electrode; an insulating layer over the first mesh electrodelayer; and a second mesh electrode layer on the insulating layer, thesecond mesh electrode layer overlapping both the first mesh electrodelayer and the common electrode with the first mesh electrode layerbetween the second mesh electrode layer and the common electrode,wherein the first mesh electrode layer includes a first mesh electrodeand a second mesh electrode that is physically separated from the firstmesh electrode, and the second mesh electrode layer including a thirdmesh electrode and a fourth mesh electrode, wherein the first meshelectrode electrically contacts the fourth mesh electrode adjacent tothe first mesh electrode through a contact hole, wherein the second meshelectrode is configured to shield at least a portion of the third meshelectrode and at least a portion of the fourth mesh electrode, andwherein the third mesh electrode and the fourth mesh electrode serve asX and Y electrodes.
 10. The electroluminescent display of claim 9,wherein a width of the first mesh electrode layer is wider than a widthof the second mesh electrode layer.
 11. The electroluminescent displayof claim 9, wherein the first mesh electrode layer has a same width asthe second mesh electrode layer.
 12. The electroluminescent display ofclaim 9, wherein a distance from the second mesh electrode layer to thecommon electrode is greater than a distance from the first meshelectrode layer to the common electrode.
 13. The electroluminescentdisplay of claim 12, wherein the distance between the common electrodeand the first mesh electrode layer is 3 μm to 30 μm, and a distancebetween the first mesh electrode layer and the second mesh electrodelayer is 0.01 μm to 3 μm.